Indians fans get prickly in Goodyear

The Heat Index tours Goodyear Ballpark, the new spring home of the Cleveland Indians

When we visited Camelback Ranch, the new spring home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, we heard from a few fans who lamented the loss of intimacy they knew during the club's days in Vero Beach, Fla. (Click here for more)

When we got to the new Goodyear Ballpark, new spring home of the Cleveland Indians, the fans didn't just lament.

They lashed out.

Their complaint wasn't with the ballpark itself, but with the "Recreational Complex" that includes the team's development facilities, clubhouse and practice fields.

For some, the only thing missing from the place is razor wire.

"It's like Fort Knox," said Jennifer Cuenot of Brooklyn.

"They've distanced the players physically from the fans," said her father, Randy Cuenot, who lives in Columbus, Ohio. "Newer isn't better. You can't get near anyone. There's security everywhere."

Bill Russell - a 20-year Indians season ticket holder, not the former Dodgers shortstop - agreed.

He has been attending Indians spring training since the team's days in Tucson.

Before moving to the Valley this spring, the Indians were headquartered in Winter Haven, Fla., since 1993.

"I'm actually insulted here," said Russell, who is the father of 6-foot-8 White Sox pitcher Adam Russell.

"I could care less about autographs, but when you come to spring training you want to be able to get close enough to see who's taking batting practice or stand behind a fence and catch home run balls.

"Occasionally you'll see a retired player who you can talk to. You don't have any of that here.

"I enjoy spring training more than I do the regular season, or at least I have. ... I hope they do something about it because they're going to lose some true fans if they don't."

Bart Swain, a spokesman for the Indians, said the team is aware some fans that had experienced Winter Haven's relaxed atmosphere are unhappy.

"It's Year 1," he said. "Like anything, we'll try to adjust some things as we move along. Most of the complaints have been about the complex, not the stadium."

Jennifer Cuenot noted that prices are up, too; but she doesn't have a major complaint with that.

"That's not the point of this," she said. "It's too sprawling and it's locked down. This should be a more intimate experience. That's why people come all this way and spend all this money - to get up close."

Venue

Even our friend Jennifer conceded the stadium itself is "gorgeous" and we agree. Out front, there's a 60-foot "wing" sculpture. It's white with baseball stitching. OK, it looks better than it sounds. The scoreboard video screen is humongous.

There also is a cool "Kids Zone" area down the first-base side with a large grass area that includes a miniature baseball diamond complete with backstop and bases.

And there are several interactive games, too. This is definitely the most kid-friendly place in the Cactus League.

Parking

It's $5 and if you can find a spot that splits the difference between the stadium and Player Development Complex you'll be ahead of the game. We don't want to suggest they're too far apart or anything, but you might need to establish a base camp.

Tickets/hot dog/beer

Tickets range from $8-$35. The basic dog is $4 and a domestic beer is $7. There is a nice variety of premium beers for $8.